] [Thread] [Date] [Author]

[AnandNene(--nospam--at)aol.com]

Well said bill.  Certainly a good idea!  A very professional approach.  Funny,
I actually did this on some peer review jobs wher I was retained by my client
to give my opinion.  I tried to talk with the engineer and owner and explain
my views.  Certainly, the designer was more receptive and the client was
satisfied.  He was convinced that few dollars he may save is not worth it.

Anand Nene, S. E.

In a message dated 9/3/98 7:49:33 PM Pacific Daylight Time, BCainse(--nospam--at)aol.com
writes:

<< Try talking to the other engineer first.  He may be unaware of the reasons
for
 the LA provisions and be happy you pointed them out.  Any time I see an
 engineer using 2"o.c. nail spacing, I try to talk him out of it whether asked
 or not.  I've seen too many studs with such nailing looking like all they
 needed to become toothpicks was the box to pack them in.
 
 If you can't feel comfortable with the results of talking to the other
 engineer, state your opinions (and reasons for them) in a non-judgemental way
 ( i.e., that you don't feel the minimum code requirements will provide him
 (the owner) an adequate level of performance) and let the owner decide if he
 wants to meet minimum code requriements (all he is required to do) or have an
 increased level of performance.  In my experience, an owner that asks usually
 wants a better level of performance than code minimums.
 
 Since the client has requested you to look at the design, he's asking for
your
 professional opinion. I think you are obligated to give it unless he
 specifically asked you to "verify it meets the code."  Even then, he would
 probably appreciate your comments. Engineers don't always agree.  If you
don't
 "attack" the other engineer, he really has no reason to get pissed (unless,
of
 course, he doesn't know he's being peer reviewed.  In that case, ethics
 requires you to notify him that you have been asked to review his work.  It
 then becomes a beef between the other engineer and the owner).  
  >>